“It seemed like a nice neighborhood to have bad habits in.” Yes, that’s a perfectly chiseled line from narrator Philip Marlow in Raymond Chandler’s iconic The Big Sleep. With this in mind, have you been hanging at the noir bar for decades, waiting for a refill? You are in luck my friend, author Nick Harkaway’s Titanium Noir is a sci fi/classic detective noir mashup, a combo that has worked well since the original Blade Runner movie. And Harkaway puts his own narrative stamp on it by summoning the wonderfully witty hard-bitten musings of Cal Sounder, an investigator, sometimes detective, and “external contractor” to the overworked PD. Cal’s specialty is the grey place that falls between the luxuriant land of dreams, Chersenesos, and everything surrounding it that is not Chersenesos, gritty, rundown and just hanging on.

Harkaway gleefully details a post WW2 urban playground has morphed into the not too distant future; where the division between the have and have nots goes beyond magnificent real estate, brimming bank accounts, and breathtakingly expensive toys. It’s also in the bones, blood and skin of the Titans, a limited edition of the vetted uber rich who have been injected with T7, a shape-altering concoction, which creates a legion of near immortal gigantic humans, all chosen by the kingpin of kingpins, Stefen Tonfamecasca. Cal has a long history with them.

Like any noir story worth its whiskey, the dialog is snappy and sparse, the characters, and there are many of them, indelible, cynical and well-sketched, from Athena, the statuesque former love of Cal’s life and current Titan, to Vic, the fierce owner of a nightclub that features a full bar of everything illicit and dangerous, to the unexpected gasp-worthy appearance of an urbane urban legend who definitely has a Marvel universe flair. The settings are as varied and vivid as the characters, near ideal foils for the turns of the serpentine plot.

Of course it starts with a murder, this one involving a victim bursting with contradictions, Roddy Tebbit, a nerd Titan, who is a genteel introverted biologist that teaches at a well-heeled university; he also has a penchant for nightclubs and female companionship. Since it involves a Titan, Cal is called in and thus begins the lone wolf investigator’s lot, the one we know and love so well; it will lead him to several merciless beatings, a few dead bodies, some bright red herrings, the Titan’s origin story, a long lost romance with a kicker of a resolution, and some very fraught relationships with both the Titans and the police.

Come for the premise, stay for the pitch perfect execution and the zeal, humor and mordant fun that Harkaway brings to a nice neighborhood with bad habits. Recommended as a high proof story to toss back after a long day. My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an arc of this book.

I love good science fiction reads as well as detective noir books. Titanium Noir checked both boxes for me and it didn't disappoint.

In the near dystopian future, Cal Sounder is a consultant to the police. Whenever there is an unusual case, he is called in so when a murder victim turns out to be a Titan, it's right up Cal's alley. There are only a few thousand Titans in the world and who becomes one is tightly controlled by Stefan Tonfamecasca and his family. The victim, one Roddy Tebbit, is a relatively newly-made Titan and a seemingly unlikely candidate. In addition to their long lives, Titans are hard to harm, much less murder so Cal is confronted with an ostensibly impossible case. As he begins to delve into Roddy's life, more questions than answers occur and all roads lead back to the powerful Stefan Tonfamecasca, a showdown Cal wants to avoid.

I loved this cross-genre story with its snappy dialogue and the spunky Cal Sounder. Cal is a reluctant hero and one who is easy to root for. This is a complex plot with twists and a surprisingly thought-provoking turn: if you could achieve near immortality, would you? It is fast-paced with prose that is both atmospheric and retro. Harkaway did an excellent job of blending genres, the result of which is a near-perfect venture into a future full of dangers and moral dilemmas.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf for an advance copy for review. The publication date is May 16, 2023.

I have always liked the noir subgenre of sci-fi and this book scratched that itch admirably. It has all of those tropes you need - the private detective/not quite a cop, the femme fatale, the bosses (of both crime and business), the violence, and the dystopian city setting that ties it all together. Not quite perfect, but kept me engaged until the very end. An enjoyable read. 4.5 stars.

"I’m tired, the way you can only be tired if you have a hole in you that should not be there, and when the car pulls up and a voice says “at your disposal, Mr. Sounder,” I get in without really thinking about it. Then a man gets in next to me and I feel something hard and metallic dig in under my ribs, the muzzle finding an easy resting place right against the bone. The car pulls out into traffic and onto the expressway.

“Ow,” I say, because the front sight is poking my putty lattice. It hurts, but it’s also amazing because it’s scratching the itch. It doesn’t count as scratching if someone puts a gun in your stomach. My torso twists before I can stop it, pressing back and forth against the barrel.

“Aaaaahhhhhh thank you, that’s good.”"

Cal Sounder is a detective that only deals with the special cases. And his next case is definitely that. He is tasked with investigating a murder, and realizes the victim is 7 feet tall and looks surprisingly young for 90. He can only be a Titan.

Titans have been genetically engineered to be bigger and stronger. And they're almost all controlled by the corrupt Stefan Tomfamescasa, who also happens to be the father of Cal's ex girlfriend. As Cal investigates he gets dragged into a complicated mystery.

This was a solid mix of sci Fi and thriller. I loved the humor and world building but the mystery was definitely the weakest part of the story for me.

Overall 3.5 stars

Thank you netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A completely enjoyable romp. It takes a minute to get acclimated to the world in which we find ourselves, but once settled, it's a great ride. Great plotting, unpredictable twists and turns, and well drawn characters. Highly recommend. I would love to see more books in this world. Not necessarily a series but same world like Abby Jimenez does.

Titanium Noir is an expert blend of my two favorite genres, science fiction and noir. Taking place in an ill defined city in what may be the near future, the book tells the story of Cal Sounder, a private investigator who assists the police in “sensitive” cases. He’s given the job of investigating the murder of a man who is also a Titan, who received T7 therapy that makes the patient younger but also much larger and stronger, at times to save their lives. Not everyone can receive the therapy, and those who are wealthy and live extended lives.

The novel is narrated in the style of the old classic 1940s mysteries, Sounder is the same type of tired and imperfect investigator from those novels, and is very well written. The other characters are interesting and well developed. The plot, which can get involved at times, moves along quickly and decisively. It was very hard to put the book down, and it kept my interest throughout my reading.

Highly recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and to Knopf for providing an ARC of this very entertaining read.

A twisty, sci-fi, noir with a classic old school detective navigating the tricky world of the elite to solve a murder. All the hallmarks of a classic noir thriller put an interesting spin on science fiction. There is a comic book style underworld boss, the rich villains, and even a love interest. Highly recommended!

Local Detective Investigates Murder of Elite Titan. In other news, Harpo Marx is trending…..

Book Information

Titanium Noir was written by Nick Harkaway. It will be published on May 26, 2023, and is 256 pages. Harkaway has been described variously as 'J. G. Ballard’s geeky younger brother', 'William Makepeace Thackerary on acid' and 'a British mimetic speculative godgame novelist'. Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.

Summary

Cal Sounder, a detective known for working on sensitive cases, is called in to investigate a homicide at a local apartment. The victim, a Titan - one of the genetically-altered elites, is over seven feet tall and appeared to be a typical techie at first glance. On closer inspection, he is found to be ninety years old despite looking no older than thirty, clearly a result of the T7 genetic therapy. The victim's murder is not only big news but also an unimaginable crime.

Titans are Cal's specialty. Only a few thousand Titans exist worldwide, with the Tonfamecasca family among the most elite thanks to their discovery of the T7 therapy. As it happens, Cal’s ex-girlfriend, Athena, is a Titan and the daughter of Stefan Tonfamecasca, the head of the Tonfamecasca empire.

As Cal delves deeper into the investigation, it becomes evident that the roots of the crime run deep and threaten to shatter his world and the lives of those around him.

My Thoughts

Nick Harkaway’s Titanium Noir is a gripping crime thriller that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a futuristic world. Set in a society where the super-wealthy enjoy immortality through the use of a powerful drug called T7, the story follows Cal Sounder, a freelance investigator for the police, as he delves into the murder of a Titan.

Harkaway skillfully employs the classic crime genre tropes, but with a fresh and captivating twist. His writing style exudes noir, bringing to life the shadows and grit of the story's setting. It is a unique and fascinating blend of tech and noir that the author flawlessly executes.

The mystery is well-crafted, and the characters are well-developed and engaging. The book takes us on a thrilling journey from opulent, affluent locations to the seediest bars and life-and-death cage matches. The world-building is excellent, and the story keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Overall, Titanium Noir is a quick and entertaining read that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The author's ability to create a futuristic world that is both intriguing and believable is a testament to his writing talent. It is a very solid pick for fans of the crime and thriller genre.

Recommendation

If you're a fan of both noir and science fiction, you're bound to love this book. But even if you're not, you will still likely enjoy it. Give it a read.

Rating

4 Titanium Stars

Middle of the road for me. A strange but decent read. At times there was just too much going on at once, with not enough details for the reader. The overall story was good but the plot was predictable.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC for an honest review.

I have to say, right off the top, that I really liked the book. It was a refreshing and adult read. There was no need for deep exposition, no long backstory, it was left to the reader to keep up with the story.

This is a classic detective novel, with some techno future scifi pieces thrown in. It wasn't earth shakingly revolutionary, but it had new elements to a classic formula. Grizzled, private detective, outside the elite, but with connections. A murder.

The writing was tight, the characters were well described, and I was pulled into the story. I won't give any more details other than, definitely one to read!

Nick Harkaway's Titanium Noir is a dazzling blend of science fiction and hardboiled detective fiction that will leave readers breathless. In a dystopian near-future society where genetically-altered elites known as Titans hold immense power and wealth, detective Cal Sounder is called to investigate the murder of one of these powerful figures. But as he delves deeper into the case, Cal realizes that the roots of the crime go much deeper than he ever imagined.

Harkaway's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of this unsettling world and its larger-than-life characters. The blend of futuristic technology and old-fashioned detective work is seamless, and readers will be swept up in the twists and turns of the plot. But perhaps most impressive is Harkaway's exploration of the themes of power, wealth, and inequality in society, as well as the lengths to which people will go to maintain their status.

But perhaps most notable is the novel's inclusion of queer characters and relationships. Cal Sounder himself is gay, and his former lover Athena is not only a Titan but also the daughter of one of the most powerful families in this society. Harkaway deftly weaves these elements into the story, never making them feel shoehorned in but instead making them an integral part of the characters' identities and motivations.

In short, Titanium Noir is a stunning achievement in genre-blending and storytelling. Harkaway has crafted a world and a cast of characters that will stay with readers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of science fiction, detective fiction, and anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

This book is the greatest combination of Raymond Chandler's crime fiction meets film noir detective movies, with a plotline reminiscent of Del Toro's Strain series and the entertaining, dry-witted, sarcastic tone of Guy Ritchie's movies.

The story opens with a crime scene that appears ordinary at first glance. A nerdy tech guy named Roddy Tebbit is found dead with a gunshot to the head, lying on his apartment floor. However, many things are unusual about the victim. He looks like a basketball player around 30 years old, but he is actually a Titan who has been dosed with T7 therapy, a treatment that only the ultra-rich can afford to maintain their youthfulness as genetically-altered elites of society. What's more, he is ninety years old, a fact that raises questions about the therapy's effectiveness.

Detective Cal Sounder is an expert in socio-medical criminal investigations who takes on the case. He has connections with Stefan Tonfamecasca, the powerful billionaire who discovered the Titan technology and T7 genetic therapy, through his ex-girlfriend Athena, who turned into a Titan after a tragic accident.

As Cal delves deeper into the truth about Roddy Tebbit's murder, he finds himself facing threats from the dark heart of the elite world. He realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself in a more dangerous position than he can handle.

The book is absolutely riveting, with an intriguing and darkly sarcastic tone. The short, entertaining dialogues keep the reader's interest intact. The way the twisty mystery unfolds is also satisfying enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sharing this digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

“titanium noir” has a fantastic description and premise. people are turning into titans with a t7 serum that allows them to become bigger, faster, and stronger. when a titan is found murdered, it’s cal’s job (though he’s not a cop) to solve the murder.

unfortunately, the writing style was extremely difficult to connect to. cleverly written prose that is too clever and lacks substance clouded the effectiveness of this novel. i just couldn’t get into it, couldn’t enjoy it, and was turned off by the offhand sexual comments that came out of left field.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Some stories are noir no matter where or when they take place. This place is very like our own today – with exceptions. Are those exceptions window dressing or integral to the crime Cal Sounder investigates? Enjoy the ride. Nick Harkaway has produced a terrific tale with memorable characters, classic noir twists and quotable dialogue galore. One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time.

A Superb Science Fiction Noir Murder Mystery

A Titan is an ordinary human who has been given T7, transferring him or her into a taller, stronger, almost indestructible human who is impervious to normal aging. When one of them dies it is big news and Cal Sounder, an investigator with Titan experience, is called in to investigate. The dead man is Roddy Tebbit, a 90 year old teacher who lives quiet life without all the glitter and glamour normally associated with the T7 elite, although he now looks like a strapping young man. What at first appears to be a suicide turns out to be a murder, and Cal has no clues to work with.

The author has nailed the noir feel of the book, created a science fiction theme, and tied it all together with a gumshoe that won’t quit. A truly entertaining read that casually takes you through the journey to the solution.

I received an advance reader copy of Titanium Noir from the Knopf and NetGalley, this is my honest review.

This was SUCH a fun book. Very creative and original. I have never read anything quite like it, but I kind of feel like I have because it touches on a couple of familiar genres. It is kind of a cross between a super heroes book and a detective noir novel. I enjoy reading both, so it is no surprise that I would like this.

The basic premise is that people have found a way, through injections, to not only prolong their lives indefinitely, but also to "enhance" their bodies by making everything bigger and stronger. They have created "titans." Each time you get injected, you revert back to the prime of your life. You also get larger and stronger. The flip side is that you tend to lose memories from your prior "life." Also, since you continue to grow with each injection, there becomes a time when you are too big for most normal life activities.

At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to the main character, (who is not WITH the police, but does work FOR the police) on investigations involving crimes related to or involving titans. In this book, a titan has been murdered. (OR he committed suicide...we are not sure at first).

This was a very fun read and I hope there will be an opportunity for more adventures in this world.

I keep trying to read Nick Harkaway because the descriptions are always so intriguing, but I should know by now that his writing style just doesn't work for me. I have tried more than once, and each time find myself frustrated by my inability to connect with his way of communicating characterizations and stories. Unfortunately this was more of the same. Despite a fascinating concept that really drew me in, I just wasn't able to connect to the writing style enough to feel connected to the story and I was not able to finish.

To me, the writing feels stilted and forced, like it is being crafted for cleverness rather than clarity. I know a lot of people rave about him, both in terms of this book and others of his, so I definitely think he is someone you need to experience to decide if the writing style works for you or not. Unfortunately, for me it does not...

This was a really interesting and kind of fun read. I really got classic film noir vibes from it and could totally see a dark almost black and white movie made from it, something along the lines of Blade Runner.

Cal Sounder totally reminds me of many of those classic detectives. He just can’t let a case lie, even if it kills him. He just has to know the truth. Cal also has a bit of a past that is alluded to in the story, but isn’t totally laid out. His past does have to do with the Tonfamecasca family which is why he is always brought in on cases that have to deal with Titans. Although the other characters in the book didn’t like Cal all that much, I was totally happy spending time with him in this story.

The setting for this story was phenomenal, as was the world building. The city totally reminds me of a dirtier, gritier New York or Chicago. Cal of course visits many of the seedier parts of time which were depicted with realistic yet a modicum of words to get the point across. The Titans were also well described as was the treatment that they went through to achieve ‘immortality’. I was not a big fan of most of the Titans we meet in the story.

The plot was well done, with lots of twists that I really did not see coming. I kept having this feeling though, that this book was part of a series. There were times when things that happened in the past were alluded to in such a way that the narrator assumed you knew what he was talking about, but I didn’t have a clue. There were also a few times when I felt that I had missed something along the way in the plot, especially towards the end. There were also some minor storylines that didn’t totally feel wrapped up by the end either, but this was not super important to the final conclusion.

Overall, I did enjoy this story. It was innovative and very well crafted. I loved the 30’s detective noir vibes mashed with a futuristic setting. I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers who like their detective stories with a complex plot and futuristic setting.

Investigator Cal Sounder’s latest murder case involves an unlikely Titan. Most people who have received the miracle drug that makes them bigger and nearly indestructible are the elite who can afford its hefty price tag. Roddy, however, is a nerdy doctor who lives a modest lifestyle. One of his most indulgent purchases is the fancy gun that was used to kill him.

The world building is cool, particularly the immortality drug, the way it is used nearly exclusively on the elite, and its weird side effects. I liked the female characters, particularly Layla Catchpole (Cal’s femme fatale neighbor,) Musgrave (the forensic pathologist,) and Susan Green (the victim’s crooner girlfriend.) Smart and savvy Cal made a great hero. The mystery was well-plotted. The satisfying finale and resolution gave the story a nice symmetry.

That said, the execution left something to desire. A bloated cast, overly long monologues (both internal and external,) and a snail-like pace made the process of getting to the end somewhat excruciating.

The literary science-fiction style of the book reminded me of Lincoln Michel’s wonderful book “The Body Scout.”

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

Nick Harkaway builds up a rather successful - and fun-to-read - futuristic-ish crime thriller with Titanium Noir. Harkaway follows the usual crime tropes in following what seems to be an open-and-closed murder investigation. Until it isn’t. And aren’t they all? Harkaway’s protagonist is Cal Sounder, a freelance investigator for the police. He has all of the luck of Philip Marlowe and most of the mouth of Mike Hammer. Fun dude. Harkaway builds the character, the world, and the crime, and lets the reader settle in for something familiar, yet also rather fresh.

The kick of Titanium Noir revolves around the discovery of the wonder-drug T7, which provides the super-wealthy an artificial taste of immortality. This T7 removes sickness, aging, blemishes, and other unwanted proclivities, like listening to Blues Traveller or following Truth social. Recipients are then rebuilt in a new - and giant-sized! - body. These 1%ers of 1%ers are called Titans and make the antics of the Kardashians seem as tame as the Brady Bunch. They are spoiled. They are desired. They are untouchable. Until one of them is murdered.

Harkaway takes Sounder to the usual places to meet the usual suspects. In this world, everyone wants to be with, be around, or be like a Titan. Cal’s great love, Athena, happens to be one but he doesn’t hold that against her, even when the world seems to be conspiring against him. Through it all, Harkaway’s pace remains fresh. The T7 MacGuffin aside, the story, the mystery, is what matters. Technology is not a contrivance, in fact, that hardly registers. Titanium Noir takes place in a relatively unspecified location at an obtuse period of time. Take away the T7 and Sounder could be assembling his suspects in a post-war tea room reveal or running from Buicks down the shadowy streets of LA.

The mystery within is compelling and entertaining and becomes a bold statement for a still-somewhat burgeoning author. Harkaway keeps to the themes of the genre without falling into cliche yet does wrap up the conclusion perhaps too tidy. Of course, you write what you know. And Nick Harkaway, a pseudonym, has struck a writer’s path similar to, yet cleverly enough to hark away from, his father, who possessed one of the best known pseudonyms in all of fiction.

Titanium Noir is a quick, fun read that refuses to use sci-fi as a literary crutch. Any politics as a metaphor remains subdued as Harkaway opts instead for the all-too common gut punch. Something Cal receives plenty of while the reader enjoys the show.


Many thanks to Knopf for the digital ARC and the excuse to finally read a Harkaway novel.